Sub-program avoidance redirection for broadcast receivers

ABSTRACT

A system for automatically tuning a primary broadcast receiver using a secondary broadcast receiver to receive a first broadcast signal corresponding to a source of an origin program, one or more program transition detectors to monitor first broadcast signal tuned by the secondary broadcast receiver to determine and signal a transition from a non-original program content to origin program content while a user views or hears alternate programming from a primary broadcast receiver, and automatically tuning of the primary broadcast receiver to the first broadcast signal upon detection by the program transition detector that one or more of user-specific tune conditions have been met.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to automatic tuning of broadcast signalreceivers.

2. Background of the Invention

Since the creation of the first broadcast television receiver (“TV”),many improvements and features have been made which enhance theentertainment value of TV use. These improvements have included additionof color to the image, higher resolution of the images, flattening ofthe screen, changes in technology for the display (e.g. from cathode raytube to plasma and projection), and stereo and surround sound. Logicalfunctions have been greatly improved and enhanced as well, such asaddition of wireless remote controllers, clock and timer functions,automatic channel memory configuration, picture-in-picture display, etc.The TV has become a display for a number of other electronic systems,such as video tape players, digital versatile disk (“DVD”) players,satellite and cable programming decoders and receivers, video games, andeven personal computers.

Today, a TV user can view or watch (including audio) a selection ofprogramming sources often ranging from 8 to 12 “local” “over the air”broadcast channels in most areas, to hundreds of satellite and cablebroadcast channels, as well as several local device playback (e.g. DVD,VCR, etc.) devices, all at their fingertips. The variety of shows andprograms which are now available 24 hours a day 7 days a week isoverwhelming to comprehend for many users, so many systems of menus andprogram guides have been developed to help a user sort through all ofthe options, including organizing channels by content type or theme(e.g. news, sports, history, fashion, music, home and garden, etc.), andproviding channel guide filters and locks based on audience ratings forprograms (e.g. family, teen, adult, etc.). A user can even watchmultiple channels at once using the picture-in-picture (“PIP”) featureavailable on many TV sets, and can record parts of or entire programswhile watching or not using a personal video recorder (“PVR”), such as aTiVo [TM] device.

All of these options, however, have led to new user habits andfrustration. “Channel surfing” is a habit of changing channels rapidlyover time in an effort to avoid commercials, watch multiple programs orkeep track of multiple live events (e.g. tracking scores in 2 or moresimultaneous sports events), or avoid boredom. For example, consider ahypothetical, but very realistic situation where a user, “Mike”, iswatching an Oakland Raiders National Football League (“NFL”) [TM]football game. During a commercial break or during the half-time pause,Mike channel surfs. Mike continuously has to manually check back to seeif the Raiders game is back on. There is no product or feature availableto Mike, either part of the TV set or the cable/satellite receiver,which can automatically notify Mike when the commercial or half-timebreak is finished. In fact, the most common feature which can assistMike is the “channel return” key available on most remote controls forTVs or receivers, which essentially tunes the receiver back to the lastchannel Mike was watching. Some remote controls, however, update this“last channel memory” value even when Mike uses the channel up orchannel down keys on the remote control, so pressing the channel returnkey would not actually return him to viewing the source of the footballgame after surfing to several other channels. Additionally, Mike mustmanually decide when to operate the channel return key, which oftenresults in frustration and a portion of missed programming (e.g. thegame starts again but Mike doesn't check back until several seconds orminutes later).

Although PIP can be of use or assistance in such a situation, PIP canobscure the channel currently being watched. Additionally, there is atime gap or delay between when Mike sees his primary program is back onand when he can press the right buttons on his remote to return anddisable PIP. Furthermore, if Mike doesn't want to return when back fromcommercial, but rather when some known segment appears (such as sportshighlights in local news), then the limitations of PIP are multiplied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description when taken in conjunction with thefigures presented herein present a complete description of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 shows the architecture of an enhanced broadcast tuner, receiveror decoder according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a microprocessor or micro-controller-based embodimentof the control logic portion of an enhanced broadcast tuner, receiver ordecoder according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 sets forth a logical organization of functions of an enhancedbroadcast tuner, receiver or decoder according to the present invention,preferably realized in part as software.

FIG. 4 shows a logical process according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates several conditions which can be monitored todetermine program transitions in a broadcast signal.

FIG. 6 provides an example of user preferences for the control of theprocesses and mechanisms of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a user-configurable “surf return”function to an enhanced broadcast tuner, receiver or decoder forreception of video and audio signals such as, but not limited to, cabletelevision broadcasts, satellite television broadcasts, over-the-airtelevision broadcasts, multimedia broadcasts via computer networks,cable audio program broadcasts, satellite audio program broadcasts, andover-the-air audio program broadcasts.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the surf returnfunction allows detection of a sub-program such as commercials andautomatically returns users to origin when the sub-program ends, therebyallowing the user to tune to alternate programming during the interimtime period.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the surf returnfunction provides a systematic way to help users avoid wasting time andenergy by checking back repeatedly and periodically between multiplechannels to ensure sub-program(s) has ended, etc.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the logic of theinvention employs a clock or timer to allow the user to specify returnto the original channel within a certain time period or at a certaintime.

Using the invention, users or listeners do not need to hassle with“flipping” channels back and forth while waiting for a sub-program suchas commercials to end, and broadcasters are allowed to give theircustomers the maximum ability to obtain entertainment. Additionally,users and listeners may elect to watch shows or listen to programswithout being bombarded by constant interruptions and endless marketingtactics.

For example, a user may initiate the invention to allow auto-detectionof commercial breaks while the user watches a football game on a firstor original channel. When the commercial comes on, the user channelsurfs, changing the channel or signal source to one or more alternateprograms. When the advertisement ends or optionally when a certain timeperiod has elapsed, the invention automatically tunes the tuner back tothe original channel or channel source to return to watching thefootball game.

In a second example, a user may be interested in learning more about aspecific news story that was reported (or has been previewed orannounced to be upcoming) on his or her favorite news service. With thepresent invention, the user does not have to wait patiently through manyother news reports and/or advertisements to view the story of interest,but instead can configure the invention to automatically tune thereceiver to the news broadcast at the time the story airs. During theinterim, the user may surf to other channels or other signal sources.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in the following paragraphs interms of one available embodiment of a television receiver/tuner/decodersuitable for receiving audio and video signals from “free” or“over-the-air” transmitters, as well as closed-circuit and subscriptiontypes of broadcast signals such as cable TV and satellite TV. It will berecognized that the present invention may alternately be realized toreceive other types of audio and video broadcast signals including butnot limited to over-the-air radio programs; satellite “radio” programs(e.g. XM [TM], Sirius [TM], etc.); and Internet or wireless handsetvideo, audio and multimedia programming (e.g. digital movies,Macromedia's Flash [TM] objects, streaming audio, streaming video, audioobjects, WAV files, MPG files, MP3 files, etc.).

Likewise, the invention may be realized in any suitable form including,but not limited to, enhancements of television tuners, radio tuners,satellite decoders, cable decoders, web browsers, wireless handsets, andpervasive computing devices (e.g. personal digital assistants, laptopcomputers, etc.). Additionally, the present invention is not restrictedto automatically returning the tuning control to an original channel,but may also be configured to return to a non-broadcast signal source,such as a local DVD player or local VCR player. Throughout the remainderof this disclosure, we will refer to the various types of humanoperators of broadcast receivers, such as TV users, web browser users,radio listeners, etc., collectively as “users”.

Further, we will collectively refer to technologies and signal types forone-to-many transmissions (e.g. one station to many receivers, one webserver to many web browsers, etc.), and point-to-point transmissions(e.g. peer-to-peer exchanges, two-party audio and/or video calls, etc.),as well as “live”, “real-time”, “on-demand” and “taped delayed”transmissions collectively as “broadcasts” for the purposes of thepresent disclosure.

Architecture of Enhanced Television Receiver/Tuner/Decoder

A TV embodiment preferably employs two tuners, a primary tuner (15) anda secondary tuner (14), as shown in FIG. 1. The primary tuner functionsessentially the same as those of existing TV receivers, receivingcommands from a logical controller (13) to tune or decode a specificfrequency or channel for display (16) and audio presentation (17). Aremote control (18) such as an Infrared (“IR”) or Radio Frequency (“RF”)remote control may be used by the user to command the logicalcontroller, via a remote control sensor (19), to affect changes to theprimary tuner in the typical manner (e.g. channel up, channel down,volume up/down, system on/off, direct channel access, closed captioningon/off, mute, etc.). The user may also command the primary tuner toreceive one of a variety of signal sources (11) such as DVD, satellitereceiver, cable box, VCR, video game, etc., using the remote (18), orusing a keypad (100) on the front of the TV set.

A secondary tuner/decoder (14) is incorporated in the system of thepreferred embodiment. This secondary tuner (14) is used to monitor thecontent or program status of the original channel or signal source whilethe user “surfs”alternate channels and signal sources using the primarytuner (15). The secondary tuner may be integral to the TV, it may be anaccessory, or it may be an external unit. Some examples of external oraccessory secondary tuners which may be employed in some embodiments arethe tuners in VCR's, audio/video/home theater tuners/controllers, ortuners in over-the-air digital television (“DTV”) set top boxes (“STB”).

Turning to FIG. 2, more details of the logical controller (13) portionof the invention are shown. According to a preferred embodiment, amicroprocessor or microcontroller (20) is employed to implement certaincontrol and user interface functions in firmware or software (e.g.downloadable features) stored in system memory (21). The controller (20)may command (26) the primary tuner (15) to tune or decode a specificchannel or signal type, to adjust the volume and sound decoding type(e.g. monophonic, stereophonic, surround sound, mute, volume up/down,etc.), according to user inputs from the keypad and/or remote control.The controller may also issue certain prompts to the user using icons,text, images, and/or audio signals to the user via the primarycontroller for informational purposes (e.g. time display, channeldisplay, source display, closed captioning text display), or to promptthe user for additional input (e.g. setup menus). According to all ofthese inputs and logical functions, the controller (20) commands (22)the signal selector in the traditional fashion of existing TV tuners.

The controller is also adapted to control the secondary tuner/decoder(14) using commands (23), to receive status indicators and signals (24)from the secondary tuner/decoder (14), and to command (22) the signalselector to route a particular signal source to the secondary tuner toallow the proper monitoring of program transitions, according to theinvention. Additional logical functions are preferably implemented andstored in the memory (21), as will be described in more detail in thefollowing paragraphs, including one or more user preferences for controlof the invention (27). In a preferred embodiment, the memory comprisesat least in part a “writeable” or modifiable type, such as FLASH-ROM, orremovable media such as a SIMM card, to allow for feature updates,feature downloads, etc.

Surf-Back Logical Operations

FIG. 3 depicts an arrangement of functions according to the presentinvention, preferably realized in software functions, but alternativelyrealized in hardware, circuitry, or a combination of circuity andsoftware.

The primary control function (34) represents the traditional controlfunctions of a TV tuner, with certain enhancements and modifications tointegrate the secondary control (30) function. The primary controlfunction is employed to allow the user to:

-   -   (a) select channel, signal source, volume, audio, and video        options for viewing and listening normally; and    -   (b) to configure the primary tuner normally (e.g. favorite        channel memory, language choice, clock setting, etc.)

Additionally, the primary control function allows the user to beprompted for user surf-back settings using text and/or iconic menusdisplayed on the TV as commanded by the secondary control function (30).

A secondary audio program (“SAP”), closed captioning for the hearingimpaired decoder (“CC”), V-Chip, and clock/timer (35) are employed insome embodiments of the invention to assist with program transitiondetection, as described in more detail in the following paragraphs.

The secondary control function (30) embodies the logical controlprocesses to configure the secondary tuner to receive and monitor andaudio, video, and/or sub-data (e.g. CC) of a selected channel and/orsignal source while the user “surfs”using the primary tuner. Thesecondary control function also configures one or more programtransition detectors, preferably according to the user's settings (27),and receives a status or signal in return when a transition has beendetected. Additionally, and according to a preferred embodiment, thesecondary control function receives a signal from the clock/timer (35),which allows a basic surf-back function (e.g. return automatically in 30seconds) or a maximum surf time limitation (e.g. return when programtransition is detected or within 180 seconds, whichever is earlier).

The surf-back user preference repository (27) is preferably stored inlocal memory, as well, where one or more user's may store theirsurf-back options and choices.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a plurality ofprogram transition detectors are provided to allow the user one or moreoptions for determining when a surf-back operation is to be executed.These detectors may be provided initially with the system (e.g.pre-configured), they may be downloaded via a network (e.g. modem,Internet, broadcast signal, etc.), they may be installed using removablemedia (e.g. floppy disks, removable memory cards, etc.), or acombination of these methods.

Turning to FIG. 4, a logical process of the secondary control function(30) according to the invention is shown. First, the user initiates a“surf-back” function prior to leaving or tuning away from a program ofprimary interest, which we will refer to as the “origin” program. Inpractice, an origin program typically comprises a channel or frequencyindicator coupled with a signal source indicator, such as (chan_(—)3,satellite), (CNN, cable), or (input, DVD).

Next, the invention receives from the user certain parameters (42)controlling when the surf-back is to be automatically executed.Typically, this would include enabling or selecting one or more of theavailable detector types, and optionally setting a time limit forautomatic return. The user is prompted for these choices using text,audio, icons, or graphics as previously described, and user input may bemade through the keypad or remote control. Alternatively, the user maypre-configure one or more options of the user surf-back settings toallow for full or partial indication of the conditions under which theuser would like to automatically return to the origin program.

The invention then initializes (43) one or more of the programtransition detectors (32), sets a timer, etc., according to the user'sparameters (42). This step includes commanding the secondary tuner totune or decode the channel and source of the origin channel formonitoring by the detectors (32), thereby freeing the user to commandthe primary tuner/decoder to alternate channels, frequencies, and/orsignal sources while “surfing” for alternate programs.

Until the clock/timer expires, or until a detector indicates a programtransition has occurred on the origin channel, the invention waits (44)while allowing the user to “surf'other channels. If the user cancels thesurf-back function, the timer/clock expires, or a program transition isdetected, the primary tuner/decoder is commanded (45) to tune to theoriginal channel, frequency and/or source, thereby effecting thesurf-back function and returning the user automatically to the originprogram under the conditions he or she specified.

Program Transition Detection

A number of methods and systems for detecting or determining changes inprogram content are available for embodiment in the present invention,some of which are illustrated in FIG. 5. As this number of availabledetection schemes is expected to continually increase, the presentinvention is organized in a manner to allow for the addition of, upgradeof, or deletion of new and old detectors over time. The followingdetection methods are incorporated into the preferred embodiment, andadditional methods may be incorporated as they become available in theart:

-   -   (a) Timer-driven detector. Many commercials (52) are of a        standard length, such as T=30 seconds, which allows the        surf-back function to tune the primary tuner/decoder to the        origin program (51) T seconds after activation (54).    -   (b) Multiple Timer-driven detector. Many commercials are of a        standard length, such as 30 seconds, and often commercials are        shown in groups of N , such as 4 commercials in a commercial        break. This method allows the user to specify N (e.g. the number        of commercials to avoid), so that the surf-back function tunes        the primary tuner/decoder to the origin program T*N seconds (55)        after activation.    -   (c) Volume change detector. Many commercials are transmitted        with a significantly greater volume level than the main program        in order to catch the attention of the users. By monitoring the        volume level during the main program (e.g. while the user is        tuned to the origin program and not surfing), and then        monitoring the increased (56) volume level when the user        activates the surf-back function, the surf-back function detects        when the volume level returns (57) to that of the main program,        which allows the surf-back function to automatically tune the        primary tuner/decoder to the origin program.    -   (d) Sub-data processing. Sub-data includes text from closed        captioning or SAP, as well as indicators from the V-Chip. By        monitoring these data streams in the origin program during the        main program of interest, one or more of the following can be        determined:        -   (1) commonly used words (58) in the main program (e.g.            “ball”, “players”, “field”, “team” in a football game) which            are not used in such great frequency during commercials            (59); and        -   (2) the content rating of the main program (e.g. adult            words, V-Chip rating, etc.).    -    This allows the surf-back function to determine when a        commercial is complete (e.g. the CC text returns to containing        the vocabulary words ball, players, etc.), and to automatically        tune the primary tuner accordingly. In alternative embodiment,        such analysis can also be used to avoid or delay tuning back        until certain conditions are met, such as the absences of adult        words for a minimum period of time, which allows the user to        surf-away during objectionable scenes or program segments and to        automatically return when they are past.    -   (e) Word-Recognition. Using voice recognition technologies,        words can be spotted in the audio portion of the signal, and        further processed in a similar manner to the text words of the        sub-data information.    -   (f) Image/Scene Analysis. Using image processing, transitions in        scenery, especially background scenery, can be analyzed and used        to detect a transition in programming. For example, while        watching a football game, the center portion of the screen will        contain a high content of green pixels (500), which will not be        present (501) during most advertisements or during a half-time        discussion segment.    -   (g) Cut-away Frame Detection. Due to limitations of transmission        equipment and sequencing of advertisements, several monochrome        frames (53) are usually transmitted following the completion of        one program and prior to the start of another. These cut-away or        inter-program dead frames occur between commercials, as well as        between programs and commercials, and can be detected as program        transitions, thereby allowing the surf-back function to        automatically tune the primary tuner accordingly.

These are just a few examples of techniques and processes used to detectprogram transitions, especially in A/V signals and TV signals. Thearchitecture of the present invention facilitates the incorporation ofadditional and new detectors as they become available, or as the userwishes to upgrade his or her system.

User Preferences

FIG. 6 illustrates one possible embodiment of user preferences (27)which are preferably persistently stored in local memory of thecontroller. This example utilizes a format similar to eXtensible MarkupLanguage (“XML”) syntax, wherein square brackets “[” and “]” enclosetop-level structures of statements, curved brackets “(” and “)” encloselogically grouped statements and parameters, and pointed brackets “<”and “>” enclose parameters and statements.

In this example, a number of user profiles (61) are defined, two ofwhich are for user “Jack” and user “Jill” (62), which are names that arepreferably set or chosen by each user. One or more detection methods(63) are logically grouped, such as Jack's first method, Method(1),which uses the volume level detection method during football 20 games.Jack's second method, Method(2), uses a timer method for 4 commercials(e.g. 30 seconds), or a detection in volume level change. Also accordingto a preferred embodiment, a priority (64) can be set for each enableddetection method to resolve or override the status between multipledetection methods. For Jack's Method(2), certain “required” conditionsallow that rule to be used or enabled only during his favorite Wednesdayevening shows, for example, while placing high priority to returning tothe origin program within 4 commercials, or when the volume levelreturns to normal.

The N^(th) user in this set of example preferences is “Jill”, who is anews fanatic, and she watches many comedy shows. So, during commercialbreaks from her favorite news channel or comedies, she likes to surfother channels, but wants to return if any important news stories arebroadcast, or if a comedy returns from break. So, her preferences enablethe closed caption text analysis, looking for the words related tobreaking news or to broadcast of a comedy show.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that these are onlyexample preferences, and that many other combinations and logical rulesare possible within the scope of the present invention.

User Notification of Surf-Back Operation

In a typical embodiment of the invention, the primary tuner would betuned to the origin program automatically without further notice to theuser. However, in certain conditions, the user may wish to receive anaudible alert tone upon execution of the surf-back function. This can bedone by inserting (502) into the audible sound of the TV a tone, sound,or verbal message, by the secondary control function, especially with ahigher volume level than that of the origin or main program. Forexample, the user can activate the surf-back function, surf away for awhile, and then leave the room to get a snack. When the surf-backfunction executes (e.g. when his main program is back on), the inventionemits through the TV speakers a loud “beep-beep-beep”, or verbal message“It's back on!”.

Conclusion

The present invention has been described using examples of specificembodiments. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art thatthese examples do not represent the extent of the invention, as theinvention may be realized an a number of varieties for a number ofsystem and signal types. Therefore, the extent of the invention isdetermined by the following claims.

1. A system for automatically tuning a primary broadcast receivercomprising: a secondary broadcast receiver configured to receive a firstbroadcast signal corresponding to a source of an origin program; one ormore program transition detectors configured to monitor said firstbroadcast signal from said secondary broadcast receiver to determine andsignal a transition from a non-original program content to an originprogram content; a set of user-specified tune conditions; a tunercontroller configured to, upon user activation, enable said secondarybroadcast receiver and program transition detector to begin monitoring afirst broadcast signal currently tuned by said primary broadcastreceiver, to allow tuning of said primary broadcast receiver by a user,and to automatically tune said primary broadcast receiver to said firstbroadcast signal upon signal by said program transition detector thatone or more of said user-specific tune conditions have been met.
 2. Thesystem as set forth in claim 1 wherein said primary and secondarybroadcast receivers are television receivers.
 3. The system as set forthin claim 2 wherein said program transition detector comprises a fixedperiod timer.
 4. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said programtransition detector comprises a timer configured to expire at auser-specified integral multiple of a fixed time period.
 5. The systemas set forth in claim 2 wherein said program transition detectorcomprises a volume change detector.
 6. The system as set forth in claim2 wherein said program transition detector comprises a vocabulary changedetector.
 7. The system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said vocabularychange detector is configured to analyze words from a decoded closedcaptioning text stream.
 8. The system as set forth in claim 6 whereinsaid vocabulary change detector is configured to analyze words from adecoded Secondary Audio Program.
 9. The system as set forth in claim 6wherein said vocabulary change detector is configured to analyze wordsrecognized from an audio portion of said broadcast signal.
 10. Thesystem as set forth in claim 2 wherein said program transition detectorcomprises detecting a change in a content rating indicator.
 11. Thesystem as set forth in claim 10 wherein said content rating indicator isa V-chip indicator.
 12. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidprogram transition detector comprises a scene-based program segmentdetector.
 13. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said programtransition detector comprises an interprogram dead frame detector. 14.The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tuner controller isfurther configured to select a signal source for enabling said secondaryreceiver to monitor, and to select a signal source for tuning saidprimary receiver.
 15. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidtuner controller is further configured to insert an alert tone ormessage into an audible output of the primary receiver upon said tuningaction.
 16. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said primary andsecondary receivers comprise over-the-air radio receivers.
 17. Thesystem as set forth in claim 1 wherein said primary and secondaryreceivers comprise satellite signal receivers.
 18. The system as setforth in claim 1 wherein said primary and secondary receivers comprisewireless telephone receivers.
 19. The system as set forth in claim 1wherein said primary and secondary receivers comprise at least onepervasive computing device.
 20. The system as set forth in claim 1wherein said primary and secondary receivers comprise at least one webbrowser device.
 21. The system as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising a detector installer for receiving and installing one or moreadditional program transition detectors.
 22. The system as set forth inclaim 22 wherein said detector installer comprises a removable computermedia.
 23. The system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said detectorinstaller comprises a download receiver.
 24. The system as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said set of user-specified tune conditions comprises aplurality of tune conditions wherein each tune condition is associatedwith at least one user indicator.
 25. The system as set forth in claim 1wherein said set of user-specified tune conditions comprises a priorityindicator for resolving the user importance of each condition in theevaluation of said conditions.